COST GUIDES
How much does it cost to install downlights?
Updated 07/26
If you're looking for new lighting in your home, check out our guide to install downlights for average UK prices to plan your budget.
Fast Facts
The average cost of supplying and installing downlights is around £300-£500 per project
The cost of a downlight is in the region of £20-£75 per downlight
Costs vary depending on your choice of lights, the size of your room, and whether any electrical work needs fixing first
Lighting can make a world of difference to your home, and choosing the right lighting is important.
In this guide, we look at the average cost of installing spotlights to help you plan your budget.
How much does it cost to install downlights?
| Item | Low cost | High cost |
|---|---|---|
| Supply and installation of downlights | £300 | £500 |
| Cost per downlight | £20 | £75 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
Supply and installation of downlights typically costs £300–£500 in total.
That covers both the fittings themselves and the electrician’s labour for a standard job.
The cost per downlight sits between £20 and £75.
The cost of fitting downlights depends on the number of lights you want and how accessible the existing wiring is. The price may go up if the electrician needs to lift floorboards to access wiring, or if a more complex wiring system is required.
How much does it cost to install downlights per room?
The number of downlights in a room is what drives the cost here. A small hallway with four spotlights might come in around £300, while a living room with ten lights could reach £500 - or even more once wiring is factored in.
Always get a quote based on your specific ceiling and wiring setup.
For guidance on how many LED spotlights you need in each room, our dedicated guide walks you through the calculations.
Cost of installing LED downlights
Quality LED lights are incredibly cheap, and cost around £20 each.
Nowadays, LED is the standard choice for downlights, not halogen bulbs. LED downlight installation costs are similar to regular downlights, but the bulb costs are quite different.
LED bulbs use up to 85% less energy than halogen bulbs. They last at least seven to eight years - up to 15,000 hours, which is roughly 15 years of normal use.
Find out how much LED lights cost to run to see what you could save on your energy bills.
Another bonus is that LED downlights often produce better quality lighting. It tends to be softer, instantly bright, and has a dimming feature to provide excellent mood lighting.
If no additional wiring is needed, installing LED downlights is a straightforward job and an electrician can usually do it in a day. If you’re unsure about the current wiring in your property, speak to a local electrician to inspect and give you accurate prices.
For bathroom and kitchen installations, check IP ratings too. Wet rooms need IP44-rated fittings or higher. This will affect the total cost and is a requirement many homeowners overlook.
To get a broader overview, visit our LED lighting guide. You can also learn how to change an LED downlight bulb yourself when the time comes.
Factors affecting the cost of fitting downlights
Several factors can affect the total downlight installation cost in most cases:
Condition of existing wiring - Upgrades or fixes to the wiring will make the whole installation cost more
Access to the ceiling cavity - If it's difficult to access, that means longer labour time - and a greater cost
Size of room - Larger rooms need more fittings and more cable runs
Number of lights - More lights equals more labour - see our guide to what electricians charge per hour to get a baseline for calculating the time cost
Location of lights - Spread-out layouts take longer to wire than a layout in which they're clustered closer together
Type and quality of lights - Different light styles come with different price tags
Fire-rated vs non-fire-rated fittings - Most ceiling installations require fire-rated downlights to comply with Part B of the Building Regulations. These cost more per unit and add slightly to installation time
Any prep work - Rewiring, drilling, plastering over holes from old fittings will add time
Where you live - Labour rates in London and the South East typically run 20–30% above the national average
Try the job estimate calculator
You can get a rough quote for how much your downlight installation may cost. Just type a few details into our job estimate tool, and we'll use our cost data to give you an idea of your budget.
Job Estimate Calculator
How long does it take to install downlights?
A straightforward downlight installation in a single room, where the wiring is accessible and no new circuits are needed, usually takes a qualified electrician two to four hours.
If you’re fitting lights across multiple rooms, or the job involves lifting floorboards or running new wiring, budget for a full day.
Should I install downlights myself?
No. You need a qualified electrician to install downlights. The work involves making new connections to your home’s wiring, which counts as notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations. It must either be done by a registered electrician or signed off by your local council.
Look for electricians accredited by NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. These schemes certify that an electrician meets the required standard and can self-certify their own work.
Poorly installed lighting is a major fire risk. Installing downlights involves drilling holes in the ceiling, feeding wiring and connecting to light switches. It's not a DIY job, unfortunately - hire an electrician to tackle it instead!
Find a lighting installer near you
Benefits of downlights
Downlights are one of the most popular lighting choices for British homeowners. They give a clean, modern look and, when fitted with LED bulbs, they’re one of the most efficient ways to light a room.
Here’s why homeowners choose them:
Significant energy savings - LED downlights use up to 85% less energy than halogen or traditional bulbs - an incredibly low cost of about £2.74 per year for each 3W bulb
Long life - They last up to 15,000 hours, roughly 15 years of normal use, so replacement costs are low
Flexible lighting - LEDs are dimmable, giving you full control over the brightness and ambience of your room
Low heat output - They run cool compared to halogen, which reduces fire risk and keeps the room more comfortable
Smart home ready - You can upgrade to smart downlights, which work with systems like Hue or Google Home, letting you control lighting by voice or app
Points to consider when fitting downlights
Think about the space
Choosing the right lighting can transform a room. Good light placement affects how spacious, warm or functional a space feels.
Think about whether you want general overhead lighting, task lighting over a worktop, or accent lighting to highlight a feature.
See our guide on recessed lighting costs if you’re exploring other ceiling lighting options alongside downlights.
Get professional advice
It's a good idea to speak to a local electrician or lighting installer before committing to a layout.
Discuss the details of your lighting project and the spaces involved, and ask for their advice and a written quote that breaks down supply and labour costs separately.
For more guidance, read our article on how to find a good local electrician.
Low energy savings
LED and other low-energy lighting solutions may cost more upfront, but the savings can far outweigh the initial price.
Their long life and energy efficiency will save you money over their lifetime. Plus, they now come in all sorts of styles so they can fit almost any lighting scheme.
How to find an electrician to install your downlights
Finding an electrician or lighting installer is easy with Checkatrade. We check and verify all of our members, so the tradespeople in our directory meet our standards.
Enter your postcode into our search tool, and we'll show you all the Checkatrade tradespeople who offer downlight installation in your area. Browse tradespeople, compare your options, and get in contact to gather quotes.
Find a lighting installer near you
You can also use our request a quote feature and we’ll get local electricians to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
How many downlights you want and in which rooms
Whether the rooms are wet areas (bathroom, en suite, kitchen) - this affects the fitting type needed
Whether you already have wiring in place or need new circuits run
Whether you want dimmer switches or smart lighting compatibility
The condition of your existing electrics (if known)
Or you can download the Checkatrade app to get started comparing installers!
Downlighting installation cost checklist
Before you book an electrician to fit your downlights, work through this checklist:
Downlight installation cost checklist
Downlight installation cost FAQs
The total supply-and-fit price for installing downlights is typically £300–£500, depending on how many lights you're having installed and how accessible your ceiling cavity is.
For four downlights in a single room with straightforward wiring access, expect to pay around £300 to get them supplied and installed. Get a quote to confirm the exact cost for your property.
A ten-light install across one or two rooms typically costs at the higher end, around £500 for both labour and fittings. If new wiring is needed or ceilings are harder to access, the total could go higher.
Yes. Installing downlights involves connecting to your home's mains wiring, which is notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations. The work must be done by a registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA accredited).
A simple light fitting swap typically costs around £55-£75 in labour. Downlights involve more work, including drilling, feeding cables and connecting to a circuit, so they cost more per fitting. See our guide to electrician hourly rates for more details.
A straightforward ceiling light replacement costs around £55-£75 for labour. Installing a new downlight circuit with multiple fittings is more involved and typically runs to £300-£500 for both labour and fittings, depending on room size and access.
Visit our lighting hub for everything you need to know about illuminating your room. Learn everything from the cost to install downlights, to replacing a light switch, to our full kitchen lighting buying guide.
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